New Canon-Mac Varsity Football Coach Has Pittsburgh Steelers Roots

The newly hired Canon-McMillan High School varsity football coach has black-and-gold roots.

Ron Coder, of Bellevue, was hired by a vote of 6-0 Tuesday afternoon.

Coder was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the NFL Draft in 1976—chosen 70th overall that year. He appeared in at least 13 games for the Seattle Seahawks for three seasons in the late 1970s and played 11 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.

In 2007, he served as head coach of the Pittsburgh Passion women's professional football team. From 2001-2008 he served as the chaplain for the athletes and coaches of the University of Pittsburgh's Coalition for Christian Outreach.

He was an assistant coach at Northgate High School from 20011-12.

Coder received a bachelor of science degree in heath and physical education from Pennsylvania State University.

The meeting Tuesday was the continuation of one that was recessed by the board last week.

Directors Eric Kline, Zeffie Caroll and Mark Dopudja were not in attendance at the meeting and did not cast votes.

Coder will receive a salary of $8,678 annually as head coach. There is no teaching position associated with the post.

To find a replacement, the school board interviewed eight applicants in mid-March, but then re-posted the job description this month with a note that former candidates need not re-apply.